Wheel for self-propelled vehicles.



J. MCGEORGE.

WHEEL FOHSELF PROFELLED VEHICLES.

APPUCATION FILED FEB.27`1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

l ,j l 55993 l 5 Patented Sept. 28, 1915, y

MWI/MM J. MCGEORGE.

.WHEEL FOR SELF PROPELLED VEHICLES.

APPLICATION HLEDfFEB. 21. 1913.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

messes..

J. MCGEORGE.

WHEEL FOH SELF PRGPELLED VEHICLSS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27. 1913.

Patented Sept. 28, 19I5.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Zz/J 22755555 .f

CRX@ f entren errores entrena esta.

JOHN McGEORG-E, OE CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND ENGINEERNG COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WHEEL FOR SELF-PROPELLEID VEHICLES.

Application led February 27, 1913.

Be it known that l. JoiiN l'loGnoiion, a citizen of the llnited States. residiiig at (develainl. in the county ot' Cuyahoga and State oi Ohio. have invented a certain new and iiset'ul Improvement in Wheels tor Seltlropelled Vehicles. ol" which the Jfollowing is a t'iill. clear. and exact description. reference being had to the accoinlninying drawings.

'.l`his invention relates to self-'propelled vehieles and has particular reterenee to the wheels ot' such vehicles. llitherto the coniinon practice in regard to self-propelled vehicles has been to etl'ect the. driving and the steering by means oi ditierent wheels. in view ot' the greater complexity required in a ease where a single wheel is niade to serve both purposes. xrl`his complexityhas been augmented by the tact that the common practice has been to dellect the wheels t'or steering purposes through the agency otl a knuckle joint between the spindle upon which the wheel is journaled and the axle at the end ot which the wheel located. the litth wheel`` or turntable idea having t'ound but small 'lavor in the eyes ot manufacturers.- Instances in which a knuckle-mounted. wheel has been employed both Vfor driving and steering purposes are. however. not unknown. such an arrangement being disclosed in the prior patent oi" J. and ll. Me- (eorge. dated .\pril ll. lfloH. No. HHJTSZ and already in use with a considerable ilegree ot success. bleeently. however. the suh- Ilei-t ol combined driving and steering wheels has received renewed emphasis by reason of the deniaiid tor self-propelled vehicles to be. used in very crowded and congested spaces and which can be turned and maneuvered in cramped and narrow quarters. as in docks. railway station platforms. warehouses. and the holds ot ships. rl`his use practically necessitates a vehicle wherein each of the. wheels can be del'lected Jfor steering purposes. since sueli a vehiele can be operated in either direction with equal Vt'aeilityv. and will turn within a shorter radius and in a more symmetrical manner than a vehicle wherein some ot' the wheels have lixed axles. 'itill more iiiipoi'taiit is the tact that in a i-:ise where the power is applied to a pair ot' lxeil rear wheels and the forward wheels are Specification of Letters Patent.

llatented Sept. 28, 31915. seria1No.751,11/.

detlectable about stub axles, the angle of defiection of the forward wheels is absolutely limited to 450 since above this point skidding will invariably take place under even the best ot conditions while under less Jerfeet conditions ot' traction surface skidding will occur at a yet. smaller angle. y

Accordingly the objects of this invention are the provision ot' a combined driving and steeringwheel specially applicable to trucks and like vehicles in which the wheels are dellectable ythrough an extremely wide angle without in the least obstructing the driving operation; the provision ot' a construction ot combined steering and driving wheel wherein the mechanical parts may be of strong and rugged construction without at the saine time rendering the wheel cumbersome and hard to operate; the provision ot a construction o'tl combined steering and driving wheel wherein all parts are coinpletely incased and protected from the elements or from the admission of sand and 'other foreign matter; the provision of a.

combined steering and driving wheel wherein the hub shall be ot comparatively small size permitting the employment ot' cheap and easy ruiming bearings and wherein the power is applied at a point outside ot' the hub whereby greater strength is secured: the provision o't a. device ot' thisl character of great strength. simplicity. reliability and attractiveness ot' design; while further objects and advantages will become apparent as the deseription proceeds.

Generally speaking. my invention may be defined as eonsistingot the Combinations and eonstryuctir'ins recited in the claims hereto annexed and illustrated in the drawings aeeoinpanyiiig and forming a part of this application. wherein Figure l is a vertical. transverse cross-sectional view taken through the center ot my improved wheel'. together with a part ot the axle to which the same is seeiired Fig. 2 representsa hori- Zontal. cross-sectional view ot the saine wheel. taken through the center thereof' and looking downwardly: Fig. Ii is an outside elevation ot' the wheel; Fig. 4 represents an inside elevation ot' the wheel. the driving mechanismV being shown in cross section: big, is a top plan view ot an a-Xle. provided at each end willi a wheel ot my in lill) vention and illustrating the preferred form of steering connection, the Wheels being shown in parallel position; and Fig. G is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing thewheels in one position of considerable deflection.

Describing the parts by reference characters, 1 represents generally the vehicle axle, the same being here shown as a hollow cast ing having a central tubular portion 2` lor of a plurality of sections as may be desired, it being merely essential that a firm and rigid attachment be provided for the parts hereafter to be described. T his axle is provided at each end with a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, horizontal projections 6 6, whose outer surfaces are preferably faced off to provide smooth bearing surfaces and whose extremities are preferably of semi-circular form as illustrated in Fig. 2. These projections are formed with' vertical apertures 7 and 7a, respectively the upper or inner portion of the aperture 7 being reamed for the snug reception of the iixed ring 8 of a suitable anti-friction bearing,

and the lower part of the same aperture being counterbored for the snug reception. of a supporting member 9 whose purpose will be later described.

Mounted upon the end of the axle is a combined wheel-supporting` and steering ring 10, preferably` made iu two parts, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 secured together `by suitable bolts 11, and having its plane of vlai-section substantially horizontal. The upper half of this ring provided with a laterally-projecting, cup shaped portion 12 whose inner face is planed as at 12E so as to rest snugly against the'outer face of the projection G. This cup is also formed with an aperature 14 adapted to register with the aperture 7. Likewise ythe lower half of the ring is provided with a laterally projecting portion 15 whose upper surface is faced at 1G for co-action with the similarly .faced underside of the projection (la. The projection 15 is formed with a vertical aperture 17 adapted to register with the aperture 7a, the upper end of said aperture 17 beiugformed with aspherical counterborc 1S for the reception of the similarly formed stationary ring 19 of a thrust bearing, the other part 20 of which rests against the bottom f'ace of the member 9. Suitable anti-friction members interposed between these bearing rings serve to support the end of the axle and thereby carry the weight 0fthe Avehicle,

ring and axle against displacement.

thegear 43 from the wheel.

while a stud 21 carried by the member 9 projects into the aperture 17 and holds the viously the stud 21 can be secured in either of the apertures and project into the otherl aperture. The relative positions of the axle projection G and the ring projection 12 are fixed by means of a hollow sleeve 22 fixed iny one of the apertures 7 or 14 and projecting into the other of said apertures. ln the present embodiment, this sleeve is fixed in the aperture 14 and is journaled in the a perture 7, but it will be obvious that this arrangement could be inverted lwithout invention. The outer face of this ring 10' is :formed with an annular seat 24pref`erably surrounded by a flange 25 as shown in Fig. 2. j The wheel supporting` member consists of a fiat, circular, metallic plate 2G secured to the seat 24 in any suitable manner as by bolts 27 and having on its outer face a central, wheel-supporting spindle 2S. In the embodiment here illustrated, said spindle comprises a cylindrical portion 29 adjacent to the plate 2G and carrying the fixed member B0 of a suitableanti-friction bearing, a conical extension 31 beyond this cylindrical portion, a second smaller cylindrical portion 32 beyond this extension forming a seat for the reception of' the fixed member 33 ofka second or st adying bearing, and a terminate threaded portion 34 adapted for the reception of a suitable n'ut 35 wliereby the member 323 is held in place. A spacing sleeve 3G is shown as introduced between the members 3() and 53 so that the two may be securely gripped in position by `the nut 35.

The wheel member proper comprises an annular central portion 40 having a cylind'rieal central aperture receiving the movable member 41 of an anti-friction bearing cojwrating with the member 30 in the reception of suitable anti-friction members as shown. Secured` to the inner face of this central portion is the fiat argiular web 42 of a beveled gear 43, while secured to the outer face of the portion 40 is the base flange 44 of a cap member 45. The gear and cap member may be secured in place by bolts 46, but I preferably forni the flange 44 with apertures 47 of' considerable size surrounding alternate bolts 4G, and employ with these bolts annular filling blocks 49 oit' a thickness substantially equal to that of the flange, this arrangement permitting the removal of the 'ap 45, merely by removing the nuts of the bolts 4G without at the same time detaching The forward end of' the cap is made interiorly cylindrical in shape for the reception of the annular member 50 of an anti-friction bearing, which, in conjunetion'with the member 33, forms a raceway for suitable anti-friction members whereby the wheel is stcadied upon the main bearing. This cap also forms a understood.

The outer portion of the Wheel With an annulary flange or felly 51 is secured a tire 52-ofany preferre orm or construction, the annular portion 40 "and the rim or felly portion 51 being connected in any desired manner, as by the flat annular Web 53. Obviouslylthis Web could be corrugated, folded, or made in the form of separate spokes, if desired, .entirely Withoutelj'e'ctingl the. merits of 'the present inventiofn, or may even be made in a :plurality ofparts The web form is shown 'herein because of the fact that the same is frequently desired yin the case o f Wheels of comparatively small diameter.

Thelater'ally projecting portion of the gear 43 is received in an annular groove 55 formed in the ring member 10. To the outer face of this ring is secured aiiat annular cover plate 57 whereby, the entrance of foreign matter and the loss of lubricant is prevented. The edge of the portion 42 of the gear preferably extends slightly beyond the portion 40 ofthe Wheel, as shown at 58, and the cover plate 57'is recessed or otherwise formed to make a tight, rotary joint therewith, while leakage between the plate and the face of the'ring maybe guarded/against by a gasket 59. The plate57 is attached to the ring by means of screws or like fastening devices 60, the web 53 being apertured as at 6l so as to afford access thereto.

The upper part of the cup `portion 12 of the ring 10 is formedfor the reception of a plate which preferably has at one side the laterally projecting arm 66 which projects parallel to the plane of the Wheel as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. To the outer ends of these arms are articulated the links 67, 67, Whose opposite ends are articulatedY together upon the end of a'steering arm 68 as fullyexplained in my copending application, iiled March 14, 1913 Ser. No-754234. Of course it will be obvious that any desired form oflink attachment or other turning device could'be employed in connection With these Wheels, but I recommend the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, because of .the extremely Wide steering angle permitted is a second beveled pinion 76 meshing with a bevel gear 77 attached to the end of the aXle shaft 78. These various pinions and gears may obviously be connected to their shafts in any one of a great number of Ways, the particular method I have illustrated herein comprising the longitudinal milling of the shaft to form a plurality of integral ribs or keys which are thereafter-,ground to form portions of different heights for the reception and secure attachment of the various pinions, bearings, etc. These pinions, bearings, etc., are formed with interior tongues adapted to fit in the spaces between the ribs or keys and thus prevent slipping. In the' present embodiment, I have illustrated the gears 76 and 77 as held together one of these collars and the bearing member 72 for the purpose of supporting the Weight of the shaft 71.

The upper end of the shaft 71 and itsupper bearing are covered by a plate'82 which may have a central aperture S3 for the admission of lubricant, the same being closed in any convenient manner. Theends of theprojections 6, 6 may also be recessed, as shown in Fig. 1, for the reception of a semi-circular closure 84, whereby the space between the. projections is inclosed. The ends of this closure are shown as secured to integral webs 85 connecting the bases of the projections (see Fig. 2). The shafts 78-78 may be driven by a main propeller shaft 90 through the agency of a differential 91, or by a clutch mechanism such as disclosed and claimed in my copending application filed J une 27, 1912, Ser. No. 706259 or by separate electric motors, or in any other suitableV or convenient manner.

The assembling and operation of the mechanism is as follows: The axle 1 having first been provided with its shafts T8-J8, the halves of the ring 10 are applied to the projections 6, 6, and those halves secured together by the bolts 11. The bearing members 8, 9, 19 and 20 and the sleeve 74 will have been positioned prior to the attachment of the ring. The pinion 77 and its core ring are now applied to the end of the shaft 7S after which the shaft 71 with its pinion and bearings lis mounted in place. rI`he cap or shield 84 having been secured in its recess, the plate 2G` is next attached to its seat and the wheel proper'applied thereto. Finally the' cover plate 82 is mounted in placerand the assembling is complete.

by way, of the aperture 83. 'Ihe lowermost portion oftheannular groove 55 forms a well or pocket for the reception of lubricant intoI which the edge of the gear 43 dips continually, thereby keeping the same thoroughly lubricated and carrying more or less of the same to the main bearings of the wheel; the spherical counterbore 18 also forms a lubricant well whereby the thrust bearings 19 and 20 are plentifully supplied.

While AI have described my invention in detail, land pointed out at length the constructions and arrangements which my experience shows to be most satisfactory, I do not proposeito be limited to such details except as the samemay be positively recited in the claims hereto annexed or may be made necessary bytheprior state of the art.

. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having at each end a pair of vertically spaced, substantially horizontal extensions, and a supporting member having a Wheel receiving'spindle, of means including a hollow sleeve for pivoting said supporting member'to said projection, such pivot axis being substantially vertical and vsaid wheel receiving spindle being substantiallyr horizontal, a wheel journaled upon Said spindle and lying at one side o'f said pivot axis, an annularvgear secured to the inner face of said wheell and extending outside of said projections, a rotatable shaft journaled in said axis, a gear carried by said shaft between saidprojections, a transverse shaft coinciding substantially with the pivot axis and projecting through said hollow sleeve, a pair of spaced pinions carried by said last shaft, one of said pinions being located outside of saidprojections and mesh-lk ing with said annular gear, and the other of said pinions being located between said Vprojections .and meshing with said shaft gear, and a housing covering said annular gear and the'pinion meshing therewith.

2. In a self propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having a recess defined between upper and lower supporting portions, the end of said axle being rounded about a verticalcenter, of aring having laterally extending projections embracing the supporting portions of said axle above and below the same, lhollow intel-fitting means carried by said supporting portions and projections permitting a pivotal movement of said ring relativelyto said axle about a substantially vertical axis, a wheel supporting member carried by said ring, a wheel journaled to said supporting member, an annular gear secured to the face of said wheel outside of said supporting portions, a rotatable shaft substantially coinciding with the pivot axis of saidl ring and projecting through said hollow means, a drive vshaft journaled in said axis and having a gear inside said recess, and pinions carried by said first shaft and meshing with both said gears.

In a self propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having a recess defined between upper and lower supporting portions, the end of said axle being rounded about a vertical center, of a ring having laterally extending projections embracing the 'supporting portions of said axle -above andbelow the same, one of said projections y bein-g hollow and forming a housing, hollow interfittmg means carried by said supportlng portions and projections permitting a pivotal vmovement of said ring relatively toY said axle about a substantially vertical axis and establishing communication between said recess and said housing, a wheel supporting member carried by said ring, a

wheel journaled to said supporting member,

with said annular gear, and a second pinion carried by said first shaft within said recess and meshing with said shaft gear.

4. In a. self propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having a recess defined between vupper and lower supporting portions, of a ring pivoted to said supportingr portions upon a substantially vertical axis,

the pivoting means being hollow .and arranged to permit a movement of said ring relatively to said axle about a substantially vertical axis, a wheel supporting member carried by said ring, a wheel journaled to said supporting member, an annular gear carried by said wheel, a rotatable shaft substantially coinciding with Ithe pivot axis of said ring, a drive shaft journaled Ain said axisvand having a gear inside said recess, pinions carried by said transverse shaft and meshing with both said gears, a journal bearing carried by said ring and engaging said transverse shaft at a point adjacent to saidannular gear, and a second journal bearing carried by said axle and engaging said transverse shaft adjacent to said shaft gear.

In a, self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle and a driving shaft rotatablyjonrnaled in said axle, of a combinedl hearing and steering rlng pivotally secured to one side of said pivot axis, an annular gear secured to the face of said wheel and surrounding said spindle, a gear carried by the end of said shaft, a second shaft projecting freely through said pivot axis, pinions carried by said second shaft and meshing with both of said gears, a journal bearing car` ried by said ring and supporting said shaft at a point adjacent to said annular gear, and a second journal bearing carried by said axle and supporting said shaft adjacent to said shaft gear.

6. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having integral vertically spaced, parallel, supporting portions, the ends of said portions being rounded, of a ring having laterally extending projections overlapping said supporting hollow` inter-fitting means carried by said supporting portions and projections permitting a pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis, a fixed plate carried by said ring and having a bearing member on its outer side, a wheel member journaled upon said bearing member, an annular gear secured to the face of said wheel outside of` said plate, a rotatable shaft substantially coinciding with the pivot axis of said ring and projecting through said hollow means, a pinion carried by said shaft outside of said supporting portions and meshing with said wheel gear, means for driving said shaft, and a closure plattl secured to said projections and inclosing the space therebetween.

7. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle and a wheel receiving spindle pivoted thereto upon a substantially vertical axle, said spindle having a main bearing portion at the end nearest said axle and-an auxiliary bearing concentric with the main bearing but spaced laterally therefrom in a direction away from said axle, of a wheelsurrounding said spindle and carried by said main bearing, a hollow capl carried by the outer face of said wheel, a secondary bearing member carried by said cap and coperating with said secondary bearing member whereby rocking of said wheel is prevented, a laterally facing annular beveled gear secured to the rear face of said wheel outside of said main bearing, a transverse shaft journaled in said axle, a pinion carried by said shaft and meshing with said gear, and means for driving said shaft.

S. vIn a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having at its end a pair of vertically-separated, parallel, bearing members, of a Wheel supporting member having a pair of vertically spaced, laterally projecting portions overlapping said bearing members, said projections ,and bearing members being formed with alined appertures, a sleeve carried by one of said members and projecting into the aperture of the other member, a thrust annulus mounted in portions,

nation, with an axle having at its end a pair of vertically-separated, parallel, bearing members and a driving shaft journaled in said axle and having a gear located between said bearing members, of a wheel supporting ring surrounding said axle and having a pair of vertically spaced, laterally projecting portions overlapping said bearing members, said projections and bearing members being formed with alined apertures, hollow interengaging pivoting means concentric with said apertures, a wheel rotatably journaled to said supporting member upon an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said apertures, an annular gear secured to the face `of said wheel member, outside ofl said bearing members, a transverse shaft concentric with said pivot axis and projecting through said pivoted means, pinions carried by said transverse shaft and meshing with said gears, and means for inclosing the space between said bearing members.

10. In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having at each end a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal, projections, of a ring having a pair of spaced, laterally extending, parallel projections adapted to overlap said first projections, means for pivoting said projections together upon a substantially vertical axis, a member secured to the side of said ring and having a projecting bearing portion, a Wheel journaled upon said bearing portion, an annular laterally facing gear secured to the face of said wheel and surrounding said ring projections, a driving shaft carried by said axle and having a gear in the space between the axle projections, a transverse shaft journaled substantially in coincidence with the pivot axis, and a pair of spaced pinions carried by said transverse shaft, one of said pinions being located outside of said projections and meshing with said annular gear and the other being located between said projections and meshing with said shaft gears.

11. In a. self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axle having at each end a pair o f vertically spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal, bearing faces, of a ring having a pair of spaced, inwardly turned parallel bearing faces adapted to engage said first faces, means for pivoting said ring and bearing portion, an annular gear secured to axle together upon a 'substantiallyvertical axis normal to said faces, a wheel supportingmember securedto the side of said ring, a wheel j ournaled upon said member, an annular laterally facing gear secured to the" face of said wheel, said ring4 having an an-l with both of said gears, and an annular cover plate secured to the outer wall of said annu-l lar groove and engaging the rearward face of said wheel gear whereby said wheel gear is inclosed. y j

12. lIn a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with an axlehaving ateach end a f pair of vertically spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal, projections, of a two-part ring, each of the parts of said ring havingY a laterally' extending projection adapted to overlapone of said axle projections, all of said projections having registering apertures and the uppermost of said ring projections' ,y

beingl hollow, .means concentric vwith said apertures y'for pivoting said ring projections to said axle projections, a plate secured to the side of said ring and having a bearing portion generally transverse to the axisof said apertures, 'a wheel journaled upon lsaid the face of said wheel and having a toothcarrying portion projecting laterally therefrom, the face of said ring being grooved for the reception of said gear, a driving vshaft journaled in said axle, and having a gear in the space between said axle projections, a transverse shaft journaledin substantial coincidence with the said apertures,

a pinion carried by said transverse shaft between. said axle projections and meshing with said driving gear, a second pinion carried by said transverse shaftwithin said hollow ring projection and meshing-with said 'wheel gear, closure means attachedjto said axle projections, and inclosing said driving gearand lirst pinion, a cover plate secured tothe outer wall of said groove and inclosing said wheel gear, and a plate secured to said hollow ring projection and inclosing said last pinion. V

13; In a self-propelled vehicle, the combination, with -anaxle having at each end a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, substantially horizontal, bearing faces, of a twopart ring, each of the parts of said ring having an inwardly `facing flattened face adapt# 'by Said axle, a gear 'carried by said driving shaft, a pinion carriedby said vfirst Shaft and meshing with said driving gear, a second pinion carried bv said rst shaft and.V

meshing with said wheel gear, and means for inclosing all of said gears and pinions. f'

14. In a self-propelled vehicle, the/coin-` bination. with an axle, of a ring pivotedto the end thereof upon a substantially vertical axis, the sidejof said ring overhanging the" end of said axle, a substantially dat plate' secured to the side of said -ringand having awheel receivingspindle projecting from its outer face, a wheel journaledy upon ssj-id spindle, and an arm projecting from said ring whereby' the same may be turned about its axis.` -r f 1-5. In a self-propelledvehicle, the combination, withvan axle, of a ring pivoted to the end thereof upon a substantially vertical axis -and having a substantially Hat face, a

'separate member secured to the side of said ring and'havingr a wheel receiving spindle projecting from its outerface. a wheel journaled upon said spindle outside of said ring and making a substantially dust tight joint with the side of said ring, a driving shaft l journaled within said axle, meansv for ltransmittiny.` the motion of said driving shaft to a part of said wheel outside of said ring, and means connected to said ring whereby, the same may be turned about itsaxis.

16. In alself-propelled vehicle, the cornbination, with an axle, of a ring having bearing portions coperating with the ends of said axle, and pivoted thereto upon a Substantially vertical axis, a wheel supporting spindle secured to the outer face of said ring, a wheel journaled upon said spindle at one side of said ring. an arm projecting from said ring in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said wheel. 'and a -link articulated with said arm whereby said ring may be turned.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. J OHN MCGEORGE.

Witnesses:

BRENNAN B. WEST, HAROLD E. SMITH. 

